Rudy Maye DeShields

October 9, 2013

Ruby Maye DeShields, 88, went to be with the Lord and her loved ones on October 6, 2013. She was a resident of Ware Living Center in Amarillo, Texas where she passed away of natural causes.
A life celebration will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at First Southern Baptist Church in Fritch, Texas. Officiating will be Calvin Winters, Pastor and her nephew Derryl DeShields, Pastor of Berryville Baptist Church, Berryville, Arkansas. Arrangements are by Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch.
Ruby was born in Wanette, Oklahoma to Dee M. and Nettie Moon Kelly. She had three brothers; DeeRoy, James William â€śJimmyâ€ť and Raymond. Her father was a Baptist minister who travelled to different churches and her mother was a housewife who did sewing and missionary work. She grew up mostly in Oklahoma except during World War II when they moved to Indiana to work in factories to aid the war effort. During her time in Indiana, Ruby was a supervisor in an ammunition plant. After the war, Ruby, her parents and younger siblings moved back to Oklahoma.
Ruby graduated from East Central State College (East Central University) in Ada, OK and began teaching in Bearden, OK. While teaching school in Bearden, OK., she met Alford DeLee DeShields, whom she married on May 11, 1948. Alford (Al) and Ruby moved to the Texas Panhandle making their home in Johnson Camp (north of Borger), where Al worked for Phillips Petroleum Company and Ruby taught the fourth grade in various schools in Borger. For 30 years, Ruby helped shape the minds of her students and touched the hearts of many. They later moved to Fritch, Texas where they resided until 2007 when they moved to Amarillo. Ruby was a Christian and a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Fritch. She loved God and lived her life doing Godâ€™s will. His love shone through Ruby.
Ruby loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She found time for each one and supported them in all their activities and was always proud of them. Ruby was an excellent homemaker and excelled in cooking, sewing, crocheting and painting. She still had time for game night and trips to the cabin in Colorado.
Ruby is preceded in death by her parents Dee and Nettie Kelly; her loving husband of 60 years, Al; infant daughter, Maida E.; and brother DeeRoy Kelly. Rubyâ€™s brother James William â€śJimmyâ€ť Kelly is a MIA of the Korean War.
Surviving Ruby are: brother Raymond Kelly and wife Patsy of Shawnee, OK; son Ray DeShields and wife Jenny of Borger; son Gary DeShields and wife Sue of Fritch; and daughter Gere Jester and husband Gale of Fritch. She is also survived by her granddaughter Loris Davis and husband Derek of Amarillo; grandsons, Kelly DeShields and wife Suzy of Murphy; Travis Jester and wife Erin of Amarillo; and Micah Jester of Ashburn, VA.; and great grandchildren; Corrin and Cannon Davis, Kaidance and Ayden Jester ; and Ayla and Ansley DeShields. Ruby leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.
Ruby was greatly admired and deeply loved. Her passing leaves a void that only time and Godâ€™s love will fill.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to BSA Hospice, c/o Harrington Cancer Foundation, 1600 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106 or First Southern Baptist Church Family Life Center, PO Box 358, 520 Overland Trail, Fritch, TX, 79036.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors, corner of Broadway and Canadian in Fritch, TX.